Golf penalty question?

Lawrie is right that you can casually drop your clubs in the hazard, as long as you're not doing it to test the conditions.

As to your other question, you can only be assessed one penalty for any one action.

For example, if you swung three clubs at the same time and accidentally cut some high grass in the hazard, you would get only one penalty of two strokes.

In the same way, if you took a practice swing in the hazard and hit the ground and accidentally hit your ball at the same time, you would be penalized two strokes for grounding your club.

You would not get the additional penalty for also moving your ball, since it was the same action. But you do need to replace your ball, or you will get an additional penalty for that.

It's a bit complicated, but decision 1-4/12 explains it.

There is no penalty for this action. You are allowed to place your clubs in a hazard provided you are not doing so for the purpose of testing the hazard.

The relevant rule is Rule 13-4 Ball in Hazard Prohibited Actions. Exception 1(b) to this rule states that you can place your clubs in a hazard. The wording is:

"13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions

Except as provided in the Rules, before making a stroke at a ball that is in a hazard (whether a bunker or a water hazard) or that, having been lifted from a hazard, may be dropped or placed in the hazard, the player must not:

a. Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard;

b. Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with his hand or a club; or

c. Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.

Exceptions:

1. Provided nothing is done that constitutes testing the condition of the hazard or improves the lie of the ball, there is no penalty if the player (a) touches the ground or loose impediments in any hazard or water in a water hazard as a result of or to prevent falling, in removing an obstruction, in measuring or in marking the position of, retrieving, lifting, placing or replacing a ball under any Rule or (b) places his clubs in a hazard.

I think it would be three unless all of them hit at the exact same time but I am not 100% sure because I have never heard of such a thing, but no matter what the reason is you cannot put anything in a hazard. First of all if you accidentally hit your club in a bunker or water hazard you might not be testing it but it is still a penalty. Second of all I have played in tournaments and have been alerted of the fact.

I think you can place the clubs just out of the hazard

That's what caddies are for: carry clubs.

yea thats 4 stroke penaty